PN in ‘serious turmoil’ with tussle for top posts, says analyst

Tawfik Yaakub says the turmoil could lead to one party quitting the opposition coalition.

(FMT) – Perikatan Nasional (PN) is facing “serious turmoil” as its components Bersatu and PAS grapple for top posts, a conflict which could trigger the exit of one of them from the opposition coalition, an analyst says.

Tawfik Yaakub of Universiti Malaya said the dispute over the PN chairmanship and secretary-general’s post reflected a lack of open communication among leaders in the coalition.

“There is no longer good communication among PN leaders, to the point that some are forced to appeal for certain posts via social media when they have other more suitable platforms like PN meetings.

“Bersatu is getting more greedy for key positions in PN while PAS is becoming more aware that it is being used by Bersatu purely for the latter’s political interests.

“The trust they have in one another is fading more and more, so much so that they are openly squabbling for posts,” Tawfik told FMT.

Last week, PAS spiritual adviser Hashim Jasin said the Islamic party was more deserving of leading PN since it had more MPs and a stronger grassroots network nationwide. He also said PAS did not have a record of elected representatives party-hopping, unlike Bersatu.

However, Bersatu Supreme Council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan and Gerakan president Dominic Lau said current PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin should remain the coalition’s prime minister candidate when the next general election (GE16) rolls around.

Another episode surfaced after Muhyiddin announced that Azmin Ali was the incoming PN secretary-general to replace Hamzah Zainudin, who was recently elected as Bersatu deputy president.

PN and PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden took to Facebook to propose that the post be given to PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan instead.

Afnan said Takiyuddin was more senior and experienced than Azmin, and was already the coalition’s deputy secretary-general.

Tawfiq said the statements by PAS leaders Hashim and Afnan sounded like demands, and showed that the party was becoming increasingly aware of its strength and ability to go solo without PN.

He said PAS itself had a history of short-term memberships in political alliances, quitting Barisan Nasional in 1977, Pakatan Rakyat in 2015 and then Muafakat Nasional.

“I expect a massive tiff to break out if no effort is made to alleviate the tension (between Bersatu and PAS).”

One key step would be to hold discussions among components instead of announcing appointments individually, he said, referring to Muhyiddin’s announcement of Azmin as PN secretary-general.

 

PAS being sidelined?

Separately, National Professors Council fellow Azmi Hassan said Bersatu’s response to PAS’s statements was peculiar, as though the party led by Muhyiddin did not care about its ally’s views on such a major matter.

He said it could be that Bersatu believed PAS would not threaten to leave PN.

“There is no longer any sense of respect between the components. And if (Bersatu) doesn’t view PAS in that way despite its strong presence in PN, what then for others like Gerakan who have no influence and strength whatsoever?”

Azmi said PN must resolve several issues immediately, namely who its prime minister candidate for GE16, secretary-general, and opposition leader should be.